Job Discussion Forums

olpha · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 35

We get used by schools (I have been) ... sO I don't mind ...

just want to find a school for 3 months & then I'll be off to another 3 month in another country ...

The aim is to live in 4 countries a year ...

Anyone have any suggestions?

Any recruiters in Taiwan that are actually legit? Doesn't sound hopeful...

~David

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

Why would any school want you? No commitment, not enough time to develop relationships with the students, apparently no interest in teaching - just collecting passport stamps.

Anything less than a one year contract is illegal. Legit recruiters want legit teachers. The 1980's backpacker opportunity is gone.

You may be able to find summer camp work. Otherwise, please don't come here, work three months, do a runner and leave the rest of us with yet another example of the worthlessly irresponsible English teacher that we have to work constantly to live down. This is not a third world country full of clueless rubes waiting with bated breath for some white guy to come and enlighten them on the mysteries of the past tense. Maybe you could find a job picking strawberries.

matchstick_man · Joined: 21 May 2003 Posts: 244 Location: Taiwan

Try another country.

Momcat is correct. All contracts in Taiwan tend to be for a year and recruiters want people able to give that commitment otherwise they lose out.

BigWally · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:10 am Post subject:

olpha · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 35

Thanks.

Lots of strawberries in Taiwan?

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

Olpha,

If I was in your position I'd plan on being here for only the two months allowed on the visa. Then I try every off-the-wall, creative and (hopefully) irresistible marketing ploy I could think of to attract private students. Post an ad on myu.com.tw that plays up your uniqueness. Lo-ball the competition, you're probably not qualified to command high dollar anyway (No offense meant, if you are). Slap flyers up at the unis. Look for a recruiter that will sell you as a substitute teacher (pays cash on the spot). Develop one lesson plan that takes an hour, can be used with beginners, and has the student doing most of the talking. Have a one-page sheet to go with it that has the focus vocabulary (20 words) and one or two grammar points. Anytime anybody asks if you're an English teacher, tell them, "Yes, and I have a sample lesson that takes just an hour and is only $x00nt - are you interested?"

Good luck to you. Our little island is worth a visit.

Cat

olpha · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 35

MomCat, you're awesome ... Taiwan sounds great, just a little sketchy ... but people are always painting that picture of where they are in Asia ~ because it's "cool" the more hostile, or scamming, or cheating, or corrupt, "their" city is ... & I'm no exception ...

I've had friends tell me not to go places ... & I arrive there & these Christians are pulling their motorcycles over & inviting me to Sunday morning service ...

Yeh ~ Papua ~ don't go there!! You won't come back (an atheist)!

So yep ~ thanks for the tips ... I hope to be there next year some time ...